National Casework Officers x 2

Edapt is the largest teaching union alternative in the UK. We are independent and apolitical. Thousands of school staff — teachers, headteachers, teaching assistants and support staff — subscribe to us for high-quality employment support and legal protection.

We are growing our casework team and appointing two National Casework Officers. You will be the person a subscriber speaks to during what may be the most difficult week of their professional life: suspended, accused by a pupil or a parent, restructured out of a job, or worn down by a manager.

This is not a call-handling role. Our caseworkers hold their own caseloads, form their own judgements, write their own advice and accompany subscribers to formal meetings and hearings, with the support of our legal team on the more complex matters. The role can be adapted to suit a range of skills and experience, and there is genuine scope to shape your remit around your strengths.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day enquiries from individual subscribers, guiding them with appropriate advice, actions and support.

• Hold and manage your own caseload of employment matters — disciplinaries, grievances, capability, sickness absence, restructures and allegations.

• Carry out casework research and case management up to and including a hearing, producing statements, collecting documentation and corresponding with subscribers, schools, trusts and HR.

• Provide accompaniment, remotely and in person, at disciplinary, grievance, capability and other formal meetings and hearings.

• Work closely with our legal team on complex matters, escalating legal, reputational and welfare risk promptly and clearly.

• Create, document and review casework processes and guidelines for other caseworkers to follow, and produce analysis and recommendations for the wider organisation.

• Write clear, engaging guidance and articles on issues relevant to the profession, and represent Edapt professionally with subscribers, schools, trusts and external stakeholders.

Person Specification – Essential

• Employment and/or education law knowledge — formal training, a qualification or equivalent practical experience, covering the areas of employment law that bear most on schools.

• Judgement under pressure — a demonstrable ability to handle difficult and sensitive situations, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

• Written communication — the ability to explain a complex or unwelcome position to a distressed non-specialist, clearly and kindly.

• Verbal communication — confident on the telephone and in meetings, including where you must say something the other person does not want to hear.

• Education sector understanding — knowledge of how schools, trusts and the wider system in England and Wales work, or the ability to assimilate this quickly.

• Autonomy and organisation — able to prioritise a varied, fast-moving caseload, work remotely without close supervision, and keep meticulous case records.

• Digital confidence — strong IT skills and a willingness to learn casework and CRM systems.

• Alignment with our values, including genuine comfort with our independent and apolitical position.

• The right to work in the UK without sponsorship, and a full valid UK driving licence.

Experience in education — particularly in a leadership or pastoral role — union or membership organisation casework, advocacy at hearings, and knowledge of the STPCD and the Burgundy Book are all particularly welcome but not essential. The candidate information pack sets out the full list of desirable experience.

Two posts, two levels

Both posts are advertised at a single band and we are open to appointing at different levels of experience. One appointment is likely to suit someone with substantial school leadership, union casework or advocacy experience; the other, someone earlier in their career with a strong employment law foundation and the right instincts. Please apply if you recognise yourself in either description.

Terms and benefits

Salary £35,000 – £42,000 dependent on experience, employer pension contributions, private healthcare, 27 days’ annual leave plus public holidays, fully remote working, expenses for required technology, access to national and local discounts, and genuine investment in your professional development.

How to apply

Read the candidate information pack before applying. It contains the application form, the four questions we ask instead of a cover letter, the full person specification, an honest account of what the job is like, and everything we can tell you about the selection process.

www.edapt.org.uk/national-casework-officer-2026

Applications by email to recruitment@edapt.org.uk. Closing Friday 2 October 2026 at 5pm; we review applications as they arrive and may appoint before the closing date.

Any offer is subject to contract and to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which the pack sets out in full.